The British quartet of Simeon Williamson, Tyrone Edgar, Marlon Devonish and Craig Pickering finished second behind Jamaica in 38.71 seconds, but botched the final changeover.

Pickering went off way too early on the final leg and only received the baton from Devonish after running outside the changeover box at the top of the home straight.

The United States, runners up to Britain in Athens four years ago, also crashed out after Darvis Patton and Tyson Gay dropped the baton on the final changeover in the opening semi-final.

A disappointed Pickering told BBC Sport: "I'm very disappointed. It's a shame because we've got a really good team. I'm sorry."

Marlon Devonish leapt to Pickering's defence, saying: "Craig should not take full responsibility, it's a team event. We trained really hard for this and anything can happen."

The United States, runners up to Britain in Athens four years ago, also crashed out after Darvis Patton and Tyson Gay dropped the baton on the final changeover in the opening semi-final, leaving Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica to battle for gold.